Chapter Ten
Callum arrived the next morning for his lessons. The art of polite conversation was something he felt he had already mastered. Yes, it was useful to know what he should say to who and when, but the trouble was when he was speaking to Penelope, he wasn’t really concentrating on what he was saying.
After the “wee brawl in the park,” as Angus was calling it, he had seen just how vulnerable Penelope was.
Not that he thought of her as weak, but he could see she was struggling with her brother’s selfish behavior and was letting her fear of losing him interfere with the need to be firm with him.
He supposed if he had lost his parents and brought up his brother on his own, then he might struggle to draw boundaries, too.
Mortimer hadn’t been mentioned again, so he couldn’t offer her his advice, even if she wanted it.
However, the tale of the brawl had been spread near and wide, and the report of his confrontation with the boy had taken on a life of its own.
He was a “base beast” and shouldn’t be allowed out in public.
His aunt had come to him later, wide-eyed and worried, and asked what on earth had happened at the park before he brought Miss Armstrong to her house.
Callum had told her as clearly and emotionlessly as he could, saying he had stepped in when the boy had crossed a line.
After Jennie heard what had been said to Penelope, she had seemed conflicted.
“I can see why you felt you had to stand up for Miss Armstrong. You were always a considerate boy, Callum, but I think you could have done so without violence. Now you have embroiled yourself in another scandal.”
“I’m sorry.” He had sighed. “It just made me so angry. She is trying . . . I believe she is trying her best to give him everything he asks for, but he doesn’t appreciate her efforts. He only sees the situation from his point of view. If I dared to speak like that to Cat—”
“You wouldn’t,” Jennie had said with certainty.
“You’re a good lad, Callum, with your heart in the right place, but you need to be careful.
I am not sure your parents would want you to continue with these lessons, but I see the improvement in you so I am going to suggest you carry on.
But as far as possible, you must distance yourself from Miss Armstrong.
I know that might be tricky, but you are clever enough not to allow your feelings about her situation with her brother to be engaged.
She could seriously damage you. I admire her for what she has done with her life.
It would have been so much easier for her to find another protector and carry on as before, but she didn’t take that road.
She struck out on her own. I admire her for that and would like to support her efforts, but not at your expense. ”
Jennie had taken a breath before continuing.
“Now, as for the gossips, we need to show them we are not concerned with their nasty stories. I have always thought that the way to do that is to ignore them and carry on with our plans. Something else will capture their interest—it always does. But having said that . . . Callum, you really do need to be careful where Miss Armstrong is concerned.”
“I know. I will. And thank you,” Callum had said humbly. He was grateful for his aunt’s understanding and would try to keep his distance, but the truth was it was becoming increasingly difficult to do so.
When he was with Penelope, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He wanted far too many things he knew he could not have, but the awkward thing was, sometimes when he saw her looking at him, he wondered if she wanted those same things.
“You seem distracted,” Penelope said now.
Startled from his thoughts, Callum gave her a guilty look. “I was far away. I’m sorry. You were telling me what I should say to an earl as opposed to a baron . . .?”
Penelope glanced at the ticking clock on the mantelpiece. “It doesn’t matter. You have an appointment. We are going to see Mr. Doddington.”
“And who is Mr. Doddington?” he asked with a frown, and couldn’t help but wonder if this was some new form of torture.
“He is a tailor, and the best in London. He has helped me before with those of my clients who lacked fashion sense.”
Callum looked down at his baggy breeches. “I can’t see the point in you fitting me out like a dandy when I will be returning to the forests of Bonnyrigg. I doubt the squirrels and the deer will care what I am wearing.”
“Well, there is a point, MacKenzie,” she said severely, and he felt that familiar clench in his stomach.
He cleared his throat. “I am not arguing. I know I will need formal evening wear for Aunt Jennie’s ball. She mentioned it the other day.”
“Good. We will save her the trouble, and I know Mr. Doddington will have you looking just the thing in no time.”
Callum couldn’t think of anything more boring than being fitted for clothing he would never wear again. Standing about while his size and his measurements were discussed. But he could see that Penelope was adamant.
“Very well,” he said. “Your wish is my command.”
At that moment, Selina tapped on the door.
After conferring in whispers, Penelope excused herself, and Callum was left to kick his heels.
He couldn’t help but wonder if Mortimer was giving his sister more grief, but he reminded himself it was none of his business.
His aunt’s warning was fresh in his mind and he must ignore his instincts when it came to protecting Penelope Armstrong.
He was not her knight in shining armor and he could not save her. She was not for him.
Then why did he feel as if she was?
*
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news,” Selina said in a low voice. “Mrs. Parker is waiting to speak to you. And I received this while you were with MacKenzie.”
She held out a note with an impressive looking seal. Penelope recognized it as belonging to one of her upcoming clients, or at least the mother of that client.
She broke the seal. The note was brief and said exactly what she had expected. Her services were no longer required. No explanation, but then none was needed. The incident with Mortimer in the park had done its damage.
Penelope took a deep breath and told herself she could still repair the mess she found herself in.
All she needed to do was turn Callum from a “barbarian” into a gentleman, find him a suitable wife, and then receive the congratulations she rightly deserved for performing such a miracle.
Surely then everyone would see she was worthy of another chance?
“Bad news?” Selina was watching her face, her own expression sympathetic. “You always said that woman was a stickler. I hope her son is snubbed by the ton.”
Penelope managed a smile. “He should be with that silly laugh of his. Although almost anything is forgiven when one has a title and a fortune.”
Selina hesitated. “Do you think Mrs. Parker—”
“Is here to tell me she no longer requires my services for her granddaughter? Probably. I had better speak to her.”
Mrs. Parker, with her beaky nose, had the appearance of a bird of ill omen. She explained in a breathless voice that although she would be happy for Penelope to take on her granddaughter for her next, and fifth, Season with no husband in sight, her family were not.
“I fear you have turned a great many supporters against you, Miss Armstrong,” she said. “Such a to-do with your brother and that brute, MacKenzie. What next? No one wants to risk employing you in case their reputations are tarnished by association.”
It was nothing more than Penelope had expected, but it still hurt. She forced herself to say, “I understand, Mrs. Parker, and I apologize. Perhaps at some point in the future, if you need my services again—”
Mrs. Parker waved a hand to stop her. “The thing is,” she said, her voice shaking, “I know you could have helped my poor granddaughter find her feet this Season. She struggles so with shyness. I have seen the change you have made in so many others. I just wish . . .”
But whatever she wished was not spoken, and Mrs. Parker left soon afterward.
Penelope stood for a time, contemplating the future that lay before her, but it was too gloomy for her to do so for long. Besides, she still had one client, and he was waiting for her upstairs. She wouldn’t let this stop her from turning Callum into her greatest triumph. She would show them all!